Bert Deivert & Copperhead Run

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Bert Deivert is one of the top blues mandolinists in the world today. His band together with master Swedish musicians Zander, Pettersson, and Lindholm, is innovative and international, as well as true to the roots of early country blues.

Their music blends folk, jazz, and blues, and pays homage to a blues style and tradition that has nearly disappeared.

Weaving modern uses of electric guitar, bass and drums from later blues from the 50’s – 70’s with early pre-war blues has resulted in a meld of exciting sounds and resonance. The repertoire is original material, traditional, and modern songs from Mississippi and the South done in their own driving style.

‘Blood In My Eyes For You’ is dominated by the mandolin and that is definitely not a bad thing. A flat re-treaded song like “Baby Please Do not Go ‘ gets an absolutely fabulous arrangement so you think it’s a brand new song. It rocks all the through the track. – Philip Verhaege, Keys and Chords

It is not unusual for a review to conclude with “go see them live,” but “Blood In My Eyes For You” captures Copperhead Run’s live essence so successfully that this time, I would actually advise you to start with the CD – which of course will only make you want to see them in concert so much more. And while many of the songs on this album have been recorded before by a variety of performers – including Bert Deivert himself! – I’d say these versions are outstanding and need to be heard. Recommended! – Andres Roots, BluesWebzine.com

Bert Deivert plays his mandolin so masterfully that it sometimes seems that he was the musical partner of John Estes for years, instead of mandolin man (Yank) Rachell. – Rootstime magazine, Belgium

Upcoming gigsInterested in booking Bert Deivert & Copperhead Run for a gig?
Their concerts are suitable for festivals of many types, including blues and jazz, since the music they play encompasses roots, blues, americana, folk, and early ragtime. House concerts, blues and folk societies, and live music venues are all suitable, as well.

We invite you, as a first step, to fill in the form below, so we can get a good idea of your needs and wishes. We will then contact you as soon as possible. And we are off on a good conversation!

If you want, you can also call us over phone, Skype or write us an ordinary email (see contact info in the sidebar). Feel free to communicate either in English, Swedish or in French! We speak English. Vi talar svenska. Nous parlons Français.

BLOOD IN MY EYES FOR YOU – Bert Deivert & Copperhead Run
There are so many bands around playing the roots Blues trade that it’s easy to miss one that actually does it right and makes you feel the Blues in their soul. Bert Deivert is a new name for me but he plays the Blues as though his soul was born in Mississippi instead of Boston and he has been playing for around 40+ years, now residing in Sweden. A quick look at the song titles is a familiar romp with songs by Big Joe Williams – Baby Please Don’t Go, Son House – Death Letter, a few by Sleepy John Estes and a great version of R.L. Burnside’s Poor Black Mattie, as well as two originals by Deivert.

The sound is fresh and cleaves close to the acoustic spectrum with Deivert playing a National RM-1 mandolin, drummer Fredrik Lindholm playing his Premier Aquarian drumheads with subtlety and quiet urging. Janne Zander plays a 1938 National and a 1951 Gibson ES-125 delivering some sublime slide and Per-Arne Pettersson is credited with Fender bass and foot stomp. Essentially, this is classic Blues played with a great feel for the music and utter respect while changing the sound to suit their capabilities – the result is pretty damn fine although there is little of the character of the musicians in the playing so honestly do they stick to the songs. Son House’s Death letter is a standout with some delightful mandolin slide and Sleepy John Estes’ Milk Cow Blues has a brilliantly jaunty feel to it, but there isn’t a bad number in the set and the leave the listener with a big smile and uplifted heart. – Andy Snipper Blues Matters, UK

Deivert is an American mandolin and guitar player with a pleasant singing voice who lives in Sweden. He has graced to B&R’s review pages before in issue 265 when Norman Darwen gave the nod of approval to one of David’s previous releases.
There are a dozen songs on this release; apart from two of Deivert’s own compositions all are covers. Before listening to this well-produced disc, I was unenthusiastic about reviewing it given the preponderance of covers including four blues by Sleepy John Estes, a Yank Rachell song, and Son House’s Death Letter I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised as this is a very good album with Deivert backed by guitarist, drummer and bassist. The opening number, Big Joe Williams’ Baby Please Don’t Go, is an absolute belter and it is the best version of this classic song that I have ever heard. The whole album is a delight and it is refreshing to hear some blues mandolin. Give yourself a treat and listen to this. – Paul Mooney